Poulenc Sonata for Bassoon, Oboe and Piano Movement II

Question 1

What key does the second movement start in?

Answer 1

Bb major

Question 2

What key does the first movement end in?

Answer 2

A major (V-I)

Question 3

Section A1 is in what bars?

Answer 3

Bars 1-14

Question 4

What musical gestures are considered to be typically Neoclassical in the opening bars? Describe one Classical and one Neo trait.

Answer 4

Second phrase (bars 5-8) on bassoon introduces a complementary 4-bar melody that tonicises the dominant – a typically Classical gesture
The next phrase (bars 9-12) begins a quaver early with the insertion of a 3/8 bar – this, of course, being a characteristic Neoclassical trait.

Question 5

What’s the harmonic device in bars 1-6?

Answer 5

Tonic pedal (Bb)

Question 6

Where’s the perfect cadence in A1 and what key is it in?

Answer 6

Bars 7-8 (V-I in F major)

Question 7

A1: Find descending parallel 6ths between bars 1-11.

Answer 7

Bar 7 in piano RH

Question 8

A1 (bars 1-15): Where does the harmonic rhythm change?

Answer 8

1 chord per bar in bars 1-4. 2 chords per bar from bar 5.

Question 9

What is the key in bar 15?

Answer 9

Db major

Question 10

A1(bars 1-15): What is the key in bar 12?

Answer 10

Db major

Question 11

Where does Section A2 begin?

Answer 11

Bar 15

Question 12

What chord does Section A2 end with?

Answer 12

F#7 (V of B)

Question 13

Describe the harmony in bars 11-12.

Answer 13

Tonicisation (IVii-Vii-I) of Eb in 11 then into Db at 12

Question 14

Which bar has material based on the octatonic scale?

Answer 14

Bar 22 (piano RH)

Question 15

What bar does Section B1 start in?

Answer 15

Bar 23

Question 16

Describe the harmony in bars 12-15.

Answer 16

Bar 12 - IV(i)-V(i)-I(ii) Db major

Bar 13 borrows VI (Bbb) from Db minor
This becomes flattened 2nd in Ab (Neapolitan 6th)
Bbb followed by Ab

Bar 14
Returns to Db-Eb-Ab
Ab acts as pivot chord
Eb-Ab-Db acts as II-V-I

Question 17

What is the key at the start of bar 23?

Answer 17

B minor

Question 18

What key does B1 start in?

Answer 18

B minor

Question 19

Find a diminished 7th chord in bars 15-23.

Answer 19

Diminished 7th chord in bar 19
Resolves to B major at bar 20

Question 20

What kind of phrasing is used in section B1?

Answer 20

8+4 bar phrasing

Question 21

What are the chords in bars 23-28?

Answer 21

23. Bm/D
24. Em7/9
25. Bm/F#
26. Gdim7
27. Bm/D, Em7/9
28. Bm/F#, G7

Question 22

Where does section B2 begin?

Answer 22

Bar 35

Question 23

What key does B2 start in?

Answer 23

B major

Question 24

Find a Neapolitan 6th chord between bars 23 and 35.

Answer 24

Bar 29 (C/E - N6 in Bm)

Question 25

Identify any of the chromatic chords used

Answer 25

• bar 3 Gb major
• N6 in bar 13 (B double flat!) and bar 29 (C)
• the chromatic plagal cadences at the end
• bar 59 Bbmin maj7, bar 60 F major, bar 61 Bb half diminished).